All the room in the world
WAIMATE NORTH 249 TE AHU AHU RD
If it weren’t for five old pensioner horses that needed housing, Heather and Selwyn Gubb might never have moved to their beautiful property in Waimate North. The hardworking couple were living on their farm in Paihia when they discovered the 19.5ha piece of land in shambles. It was perfect for the horses and they had a clear vision of developing it into a park-like environment for their retirement.
“At the time, we did a lot of travelling backwards and forwards, fencing off paddocks and planting exotic trees — now QEII protected — to make it attractive. They’re just glorious in the autumn as well as providing valuable shade for livestock. Then we built a little cottage on one part of it so we didn’t have to travel so much.”
When the Gubbs finally sold their Paihia property, it was an easy move to Waimate North, for the township brought many lifestyle benefits. Not only does it have desirable fertile soil for farming, but it’s an area with huge historical significance as one of New Zealand’s earliest missionary settlements. The first European wedding took place in 1831 at the St John the Baptist Church, which is still a popular place to worship.
Heather and Selwyn have always been involved with the church and they were welcomed by the warm, friendly, close community that gathers there.
“When I broke my hip, the community couldn’t rally around enough. It was amazing,” said Heather.
“We also love its proximity to the Bay of Islands and it’s only 10 minutes from the airport, 20 minutes to Kerikeri and 25 to Paihia — we have the best of town and country worlds.”
They chose renowned Auckland architect Robert Railley to build their new home. Heather recalls he was thrilled to have “all the room in the world” to create a particularly generous place that didn’t have the restrictive dimensions of a city property. The Gubbs took their inspiration for the timeless design from Waimate’s Mission House with its shingled roof, deep porches that embrace the living areas and the fine detailing.
Entry to the home is through a grand porte cochere befitting a home of such scale. It steps into a foyer then a generous living room that expands through double doors to the huge separate formal dining room and a substantial family area. The large spaces have accommodated the Gubbs’ love of entertaining with ease. At 85 (Heather) and 90 (Selwyn), they do a lot less of that now. But in their day, they held many functions here and the dining table comfortably seats 12.
Every detail was completed to the highest possible standard throughout, from the parquet flooring in living spaces, to a gourmet kitchen with slate benchtops. And though it is big, underfloor heating and an open fire keep winters warm.
Jen Pack, one of Auckland’s top interior designers did the interiors. “Her strength is in colour,” says Heather.
“She was a whiz kid. She had such an eye for light, scale and colour. Plus, she gave us magnificent curtains. We were delighted with the result and love the pastel shades.”
Having a guest bedroom suite downstairs and three bedrooms, two with en suites, upstairs was a practical living solution that has worked well when friends and family have stayed.
Heather and Selwyn are leaving to become part of a new community in the Presbyterian retirement village in Kerikeri.
Among the things they will miss most are the beauty of the grounds, the peace and the quiet with no neighbours in sight and the views across the paddocks. “We’ll miss the patches of bush; our now very big mature specimen trees and the park-like environment. There’s also the totara hedging and birdsong.”
While the property is a great family home, there are opportunities to expand the farm operations or endless possibilities such as a B&B, tourism or an equine venture.
Not only does [Waimate North] have desirable fertile soil for farming, but is an area with huge historical significance as one of New Zealand’s earliest missionary settlements.